Ottatonico - trombone and piano

Ottatonico score.pdf

Very impressive piece. The music has a clear sense of direction and is idiomatically written for both instruments. In particular, you handle the transitions between tempi and textures very well and you kept renewing the listener's interest through the addition of new material. I wasn't quite convinced by the ending though; I could see what you were trying to to by ending quietly after all the fast stuff but it didn't quite work for me and I would have preferred a fast ending. Just my preference.

I'm going to nit-pick a little at your score - there are some chords in the left hand of the piano which could do with going into treble clef for ease of reading, and the whole thing could do with having a little more space between staves. But very well done, it's one of the better piece I've seen around here. I had a look at the other music on your site as well, very interesting.

Thank you for your comments. I do have to work on the score - I am getting better at using finale but it's a slow process :)

I too was wondering about the ending of the piece. Your observation confirms this and I thank you for sharing. The thing is, I am not quite sure if I want to add another section to the piece, in which case the slow transition would be fine, or just sort of 'fade out' on the reprise of the beginning. Any suggestions are welcome... Thanks again

Do not use tenor clef in trombone parts!!! EVER! :angry:

Besides that, strightly idomatically, the trombone part seems to be fine though in no way is it easy. There's a few low notes that would require a trigger (m. 135) and several position shifts from 1 to 6th that would almost necesitate a trigger.

First off I really enjoyed this piece - energetic with excellent points of repose. Strongest aspect is the pacing of the piece - just right.

Only small criticism is you have at time too many overly thick chords in the left hand for the piano for a little too long for my taste --- but this is really small as the thinner piano textures and intermittent arpeggios relieve the listener of the heavy chordal timbre. I love the trombone writing - both propulsive and restless contrasting with these lyrical long melodious lines. Are you a trombone player?

Finally - where's the next movement - I so want another movement. Maybe employing some advanced playing techniques or mutes. The piano could have thinner textures. I am not sure but just ideas.

Actually I am a pianist/organist. It's the first time I write for trombone: I dedicated this piece to Massimo La Rosa, a good friend and principal trombone in the Cleveland Orchestra. The fact that you were wondering if I was a trombonist is a big compliment! :)

I am planning on writing a second movement as soon as I am done with another project. Thanks for the comments. Cheers

I play piano and organ too! Though as my screen makes obvious I spend my time primarily on organ.

Any college-educated trombonist should have no difficulties with tenor clef. I can see why you went into tenor clef in most of the instances, but often disagree with precisely where - that could be altered for your benefit.

Do not use tenor clef in trombone parts!!! EVER! :angry:

:huh: What a strange thing to say.... Tenor clef is fine.

Hello and thanks for your comment. Where precisely would you change clef? Could you give me bar numbers? Thanks

Thanks Nicola. It looks like most of the comments agree on the fact that this piece needs something more to be complete. I will try to think of a possible 'third section' or a second movement.

There are minor differences between the score and the recording because Massimo (the trombonist) suggested a few 'ossia' that I did not have time to indicate.

Do not use tenor clef in trombone parts!!! EVER! :angry:

What's wrong with Tenor Clef? Sometimes it's necessary in order to avoid trying to read all the ledger lines. Tenor Clef also allows we Trombones to sight read (steal) Trumpet parts. ;)

Because tenor clef is no longer in vouge. Trombonists should be perfectly capable of reading four to five ledger lines nowadays. It is an outdated notation that needs to be done away with.

Very original I think, just as your sonatina. Again you seem very familiar with the trombone as well as the piano. Some times the piece lacks direction and progressiveness, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. A very interesting experience :-)

Because tenor clef is no longer in vouge. Trombonists should be perfectly capable of reading four to five ledger lines nowadays. It is an outdated notation that needs to be done away with.

I was not aware of this. I don't know many trombonists, but the friend who performed Ottatonico encouraged me to change clef rather then using too many ledger lines.

I have to say that I don't like when notes wander too far from the staff... not a pretty sight. I am not a fan of multi-clef writing, but I think one should be able to read at least the standard SATB. Cheers

IT WAS AWSOME!! :D Keep on composing!:thumbsup:

I love the brooding nature and harmonic language of this piece, I have difficulty writing good sprawling melodies so I appreciate the quality of this piece even more. Keep it up!